Anshari Taslim
CHICAGO – The NBA Draft Combine has become a crucial juncture for collegiate basketball talents, with many facing career-defining "stay-or-go" decisions ahead of the May 27 withdrawal deadline. Prospects are balancing the allure of professional contracts against the burgeoning financial and developmental opportunities presented by a shifting college landscape.
One of the most closely monitored individuals is Iowa State transfer wing Milan Momcilovic, whose choice carries significant implications for both his professional trajectory and the collegiate programs vying for his commitment. Momcilovic, a prominent shooter recognized for his perimeter prowess, is projected as a notable prospect for the 2026 NBA Draft. During his freshman season at Iowa State, the 6-foot-8 forward averaged 11.3 points and 3.1 rebounds, demonstrating his offensive capabilities. Simultaneously, he stands as one of the most coveted free agents in the NCAA transfer portal, making his decision a high-stakes pivot point for several prominent programs.
Kentucky, Louisville, St. John’s, and UCLA are among the institutions actively pursuing Momcilovic’s services, each in search of a proven offensive weapon. Kentucky, under new head coach Mark Pope, had Pope himself in Chicago, where he supported former UK star Otega Oweh and big men Jayden Quaintance and Malachi Moreno. The Wildcats are undergoing a significant roster overhaul and require a high-caliber scorer to elevate their competitive floor and ceiling. A sharpshooter of Momcilovic’s caliber, paired with newly acquired playmaking guards like Alex Wilkins and Zoom Diallo, could provide a formidable backcourt foundation for Kentucky.
"I’m still focused on the draft," Momcilovic stated on Wednesday. "I haven’t even talked to any colleges yet, but I’m sure if I have to go back, there is a spot open for me somewhere. I’m still going through this process — the deadline is the 27th of May, so I have a couple of weeks. I’m going to obviously finish this week, and then I’ve got some workouts with teams lined up."
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Momcilovic indicated that a guaranteed NBA contract would be a primary factor in his decision to remain in the draft. However, he expressed caution regarding potential second-round selections, often associated with non-guaranteed or two-way contracts. "If it’s later in the second round, those are usually two-way contracts, then I’d probably go back. We’ll see."
The competition for Momcilovic’s collegiate services is robust, fueled by significant Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) opportunities. Rick Pitino’s St. John’s program, having recently missed out on prized big man Massamba Diop to Gonzaga, possesses substantial financial resources. Similarly, UCLA, after failing to secure John Blackwell who committed to Duke, has available funds. Louisville, under head coach Pat Kelsey, has demonstrated an aggressive approach to roster building, securing two top-20 transfers in Oregon’s Jackson Shelstad and Kansas’ Flory Bidunga, along with top-70 talents Alvaro Folgueiras (Iowa) and Karter Knox (Arkansas). The Cardinals are also integrating five-star freshman Obinna Ekezie Jr. and retaining breakout candidate Adrian Wooley. "They’re putting together a superteam," Louisville transfer Flory Bidunga enthusiastically remarked to CBS Sports. Momcilovic is reportedly seeking a compensation package exceeding $5 million, a figure that would place him among the highest-paid players in collegiate basketball.
Should he return to college, Momcilovic emphasized the importance of a suitable playing environment. "If I return to college, just a fit that I can play well in and hopefully help my chances to go to the NBA the year after that; hopefully I’m on a good team that can go far in the tournament," he explained. He anticipates a swift decision process, leveraging his collegiate experience. "I feel like I’ve been in college for three years, and I know what to ask and what to look for. I don’t need to go on a visit or anything. I can probably choose pretty quickly. Also, there aren’t a lot of schools that still have a lot of money or a lot of roster spots, so it’s not like I’m choosing between 15 schools, it’s going to be three or four."
Malachi Moreno’s Combine Strategy
Kentucky freshman center Malachi Moreno, currently ranked No. 48 in CBS Sports’ NBA Draft prospect rankings, has introduced an element of intrigue with his decision to forgo participation in Wednesday’s Combine scrimmages. While other highly-rated prospects such as Baylor’s Cameron Carr and Texas’ Dailyn Swain engaged in gameplay to solidify their draft positioning, Moreno opted out, raising questions about whether he has received an early draft promise or is employing a strategic bluff.
"After talks with my brother and my agent, they said they thought I was in a good spot," Moreno explained. "Got Pro Day coming up after this in L.A., and they wanted me to be full-strength for that. Then I got a couple more workouts set up after that."
Moreno’s decision carries significant weight for Kentucky’s 2026-27 outlook. On paper, a center rotation featuring Moreno alongside Washington transfer Franck Kepnang appears formidable, particularly with the anticipated sophomore development in Moreno’s game. However, his return to Lexington is now considered a more significant hurdle than initially projected due to increasing pre-draft buzz. "This is my dream to be in the NBA, so I’m trying to put my best foot forward," Moreno affirmed. "I’ll have a lot of talks with my brother because he’s probably going to be the biggest factor in the decision. Talks with family, talks with inner circle, and then see what’s the best decision for me."
Moreno offered insights into a tumultuous offseason for Kentucky, revealing his role as an on-campus host for numerous UK targets during the spring transfer portal period. Kentucky’s struggles in securing top targets like Syracuse transfer forward Donnie Freeman, BYU point guard Rob Wright, and highly-rated freshman Tyran Stokes (who committed to Kansas) have been widely reported. While Coach Pope has secured two prized portal point guards in Diallo and Wilkins, the roster currently faces challenges in competing for an SEC title or making a deep NCAA Tournament run without key additions like Moreno and a "Momcilovic-sized splash."
Despite the external scrutiny, Moreno expressed confidence in the team’s potential. "Seeing the team that they built, I think it’s pretty solid," he stated. "I think it works really well. I would fit with a lot of guys who are there as well. I’ve known Zoom (Diallo) for a long time. We went to the Adidas Euro Camp together way back in high school. We’ve kept in touch over the years. When guys would come in on visit, I was the host because I was still in school, so I got to meet a lot of the guys who are signed with us as well and who are coming. They’re really swell guys." He acknowledged the dual nature of playing for Kentucky: "Being at Kentucky, it’s a double-edged sword. They’re gonna love what they see, but they’re also not going to like what they see. You have to accept both of those factors. You can’t please everybody, but I do think that with the team that they have, I really think that if the best opportunity is for me to go back, I think we can really make some noise."
Amari Allen’s Development Path
Alabama wing Amari Allen indicated his intention to return to Tuscaloosa for his sophomore season if draft feedback places him outside the first round. "Our thing is more fit," Allen commented. "Obviously, first round. If it was second round, I would go back to school. But our thing is more fit and player development than a specific pick."
Allen’s physical measurements at the Combine, just over 6-foot-5 barefoot with a 6-foot-8 wingspan, were a point of discussion among scouts who had hoped he would be closer to his previously listed 6-foot-8 height. However, Alabama’s track record for player development under head coach Nate Oats is well-established. Last year, Labaron Philon opted to return to Alabama for his sophomore season, and his draft stock subsequently surged into the lottery range. Allen could experience a similar trajectory, especially if Alabama expands his on-ball responsibilities.
"I definitely feel like I can go back to college and be a 20 (points) and 10 (rebounds) guy," Allen affirmed. "Ultimately, though, I want to go to the NBA. The NBA is my main goal and has always been my main goal. So to be this close and have the opportunity to go in that mid-first round, it’d be kind of hard to turn that down as well. So it’s a tough decision to make."
Additional Collegiate Stars at the Combine
1. Ebuka Okorie (Stanford): The Stanford star asserted there was "no chance" of him returning for his sophomore year. Okorie, possessing a wingspan exceeding 6-foot-7 and one of the draft’s quickest first steps, represents a remarkable ascent. His rise from No. 119 in the Class of 2025 rankings to a potential first-round pick mirrors the rapid progression of players like Illinois’ Keaton Wagler, who was unranked by some recruiting services but is now projected as a top-10 selection.
2. Andrej Stojakovic (Illinois): Illinois wing Andrej Stojakovic is presently focused on the NBA Draft process, but within the Illinois program, there appears to be little concern regarding his stay-or-go decision. "I think I’m in a special situation where my option to go back to school is one of a kind," Stojakovic commented, via Illini Inquirer’s Jeremy Werner. "Not many people in this Combine have the option to go back to an Elite Eight team with most of the guys returning… I’m very thankful for the situation I’m in because going back to school is also a really, really good option for me." Illinois reached the Elite Eight in the most recent NCAA Tournament.
3. Tyler Tanner (Vanderbilt): Vanderbilt point guard Tyler Tanner measured in at under 5-foot-11 barefoot and 166.8 pounds, confirming his smaller stature. Despite his size, Tanner is regarded as one of the most athletic players in the class. He displayed an inconsistent performance in Wednesday’s scrimmage but is expected to participate in Thursday’s session. Should he return to Vanderbilt, Tanner is projected to be among the country’s highest-paid players and a preseason All-American. "Right now, I’m just pushing for the NBA," Tanner stated. "Me, my agent, my family, we’ll have a conversation closer to the deadline… but right now, we’re really not worried about college. Vanderbilt’s a great spot, but my dream is to play in the NBA."
4. Allen Graves (Santa Clara Transfer): Santa Clara transfer Allen Graves indicated he would remain in the NBA Draft if he receives first-round feedback. Graves, an analytical favorite with a 7-foot wingspan, has garnered significant interest. On the collegiate front, Graves identified LSU and Duke as his top two choices, with LSU emerging as the primary contender. LSU head coach Will Wade previously coached Graves’ older brother, Marshall, and the LSU campus is a short 35-to-40-minute drive from Graves’ hometown of Ponchatoula, Louisiana. His decision appears to be an NBA-or-LSU proposition.
5. Meleek Thomas and Billy Richmond (Arkansas): Arkansas has considerable stakes this week with both Meleek Thomas and Billy Richmond facing stay-or-go decisions. Both young guards remained non-committal regarding their futures.
Thomas stated: "I’m just going to say TBD when it comes to that. I’m enjoying everything I’m going through right now. The process has been treating me great. Decisions that I will have to talk about on deadline day, then that’s a different talk for a different day."
Richmond added: "I just have to come to a clear mind and have talks with my family and go from there. This process has been surreal. Teams really like me."
6. Tounde Yessoufou (Baylor Transfer Wing): Baylor transfer wing Tounde Yessoufou deflected all inquiries regarding the transfer portal. Both Yessoufou and his representatives have maintained that remaining in the NBA Draft is the priority, though college programs in need of a wing player are expected to maintain contact until the final deadline.
7. Matt Able (UNC Transfer Commitment): New North Carolina guard Matt Able faces a complex stay-or-go decision. Able experienced a challenging first season at NC State, a period marked by internal disruptions. He possesses excellent positional size and considerable untapped potential, leading some to believe he could be North Carolina’s top player next season, should he withdraw from the NBA Draft. Able scored 15 points on just nine shots in Wednesday’s scrimmage. "It’s definitely a tough decision," Able acknowledged. "I love UNC, I’m excited to get over there at some point… I’m still back and forth on it. I gotta think about it some more, get with my camp and figure it out."
8. Henri Veesaar (UNC): North Carolina center Henri Veesaar informed UNC head coach Hubert Davis of his intention to remain in the NBA Draft. With the NCAA’s new 5-in-5 eligibility model, Veesaar would have two additional years of collegiate eligibility, potentially allowing him to earn close to $12 million combined through NIL opportunities. Despite the lucrative path, Veesaar believes he can develop more effectively in the NBA than in college. "Obviously, it’s tempting," Veesaar said. "Like, there’s a lot of money being thrown around in college. It’s another year of going to school, being able to get ready for the NBA, but honestly, kind of getting thrown into the fire is the best way to learn." He cited his experience with Real Madrid’s youth system as a parallel, emphasizing the value of practicing with more experienced players. "I think going to the NBA, whatever team drafts me, there’s going to be the starting center or whoever they have who are eight or nine-year NBA vets. They’re gonna have so much experience in the NBA. I get to be a sponge, soak in all the information, learn everything from them. I’m gonna have 24 hours of the day that I can concentrate on basketball rather than have to go to classes, do all that stuff. And I think just being able to have all that extra time and the information and resources that are available to you, I think it’s gonna help me grow in basketball quicker."
As the May 27 deadline approaches, each player’s individual calculus — weighing guaranteed contracts against significant NIL deals, immediate professional development against enhanced collegiate roles — will ultimately determine their next steps. The decisions of these draft hopefuls will significantly shape both the upcoming NBA Draft class and the competitive landscape of college basketball.
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